Read and comment on this story from California Online on RPCV Congressman Sam Farr who was among 14 Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday who voted against a bill approving nearly $87 billion for rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The Administration's attempt to rebuild Iraq ... has been failing because it has not concentrated on building capacity in Iraq," Farr said. "Rather, this bill awards contracts to companies politically friendly to the president, and fails to insist on full disclosure of how that money is being spent."

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Farr votes against Iraq aid

House panel OKs bill

Staff and wire reports

U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, was among 14 Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday who voted against a bill approving nearly $87 billion for rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Republican-led committee approved the legislation by 47-14, paving the way to likely approval by the full House next Wednesday or Thursday. All 14 "no" votes were from Democrats, but 15 Democratic members voted for the measure.

"The Administration's attempt to rebuild Iraq ... has been failing because it has not concentrated on building capacity in Iraq," Farr said. "Rather, this bill awards contracts to companies politically friendly to the president, and fails to insist on full disclosure of how that money is being spent."

The bill has about $65.3 billion for U.S. military expenses in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, and $21.6 billion to rebuild those two nations and aid other countries including Liberia. Most of the money from both categories is for Iraq.

The split among Democrats underscored uncertainty within the party over the legislation.

Some say the wisest course is to support robust reconstruction efforts as the best way to extricate U.S. troops. But others have focused on the spending package as a proxy for challenging Bush's overall policy in Iraq.

"The administration has also been insensitive to the Middle East culture, and has not invested nearly enough in education and training for Iraqis," Farr said.

Congressional GOP leaders hope to have a final version of the bill on Bush's desk by the time potential donor nations hold a conference in Madrid, Spain, on Oct. 23 and 24.

In the latest sign of global antipathy to U.S. Iraq policy, the White House moved quickly Thursday to squelch speculation that the meeting would be postponed.

Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said the meeting, "will take place as scheduled." But European officials fear the conference could be a disaster if a new U.S.-sponsored United Nations resolution encouraging international aid to Iraq is not passed first.

Californian staff writer ANNE RILEY-KATZ and THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.

Originally published Friday, October 10, 2003

February 19, 2003 - Sam Farr leads opposition to War in Iraq

Read and comment on this story on February 19, 2003 from the Santa Curz Sentinel that RPCV Congressman Sam Farr is leading opposition in his district to War in Iraq. Many of his constituents asked Farr if there was any other way to change the world situation, if their voices weren’t being heard. The Carmel Democrat said he continues to oppose the war. He said he’s never heard, in any intelligence briefings, "anyone indicating the United States is under direct threat from Iraq." He called for more time for arms inspections, and "for emphasizing the prevention of war." But he said that if people want change, "petition your government. The squeaky wheel does get the grease." He said he would press on with his support of a bill to repeal President Bush’s use-of-force authorization, "and give back Congress its voice on this central issue of foreign policy." Read the story at:

SANTA CRUZ — Tuesday night’s town hall meeting about war on Iraq belonged to the peace protesters.

But the joyous, raucous atmosphere of Saturday’s downtown war protest was nowhere to be found at the City Council-sponsored meeting in the Del Mar Theatre downtown.

Most speakers voiced anger and frustration, with many saying President Bush was defying or willfully ignoring millions who protested for peace last weekend.

The turnout was enough to nearly fill the 500-seat auditorium. No one was turned away at the door for the free event.

Many asked U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, who spoke, if there was any other way to change the world situation, if their voices weren’t being heard. The Carmel Democrat said he continues to oppose the war. He said he’s never heard, in any intelligence briefings, "anyone indicating the United States is under direct threat from Iraq." He called for more time for arms inspections, and "for emphasizing the prevention of war."

But he said that if people want change, "petition your government. The squeaky wheel does get the grease." He said he would press on with his support of a bill to repeal President Bush’s use-of-force authorization, "and give back Congress its voice on this central issue of foreign policy."

But he also said the bill would face strong resistance from Republicans, who hold the majority in Congress. He also quelled some peace protesters’ hopes for impeachment proceedings against Bush.

"The impeachment process begins with the House Judiciary Committee. I don’t see (Republicans) having any interest in impeachment hearings."

Farr said protesters had "at least another month" before a massive shipment of military equipment arrives in the Middle East. He said protesters had at least that long to persuade loved ones nationwide to "encourage council members, supervisors, labor unions and members of Congress" to make their opposition heard.

The majority of speakers at the theater opposed war on Iraq, and many said they didn’t know where to turn. Some said they were confused and disillusioned that the weekend’s massive worldwide protests hadn’t done more to turn the tide.

Jake Williams from the Youth Coalition of Santa Cruz said he’s been to "a lot of rallies and demonstrations, and it doesn’t seem like it’s getting the war any closer to not happening. What else can the youth do to stop war?"

A few voices in the crowd, however, had a different perspective. A few dissenters met with scattered heckling, but the audience was silent when Syrian-born Khartoun Brown spoke. Brown, who lives in the Mount Hermon area, is an Arab whose family lives across the border from Iraq.

"My family is still there (in Syria)," she said. "I was a minority there, a Christian. I challenge every one of you. Live there for a week (under) that kind of dictatorship. Nobody loves war, but you are dealing with an uncivilized dictator that understands only power and strength." She said "Democrats and Republicans should be united" on this matter.

Another speaker took no stand on the war, but said people were wrong to use terms such as "madman" and "genocide" about President Bush, when those terms were much more appropriate for Saddam Hussein.

"(Bush) is not the one using biological weapons on his own people," the speaker said.

Several anti-war speakers suggested walking out of work from corporate jobs if the war proceeds. Others spoke of boycotting fossil fuels. Some said Hussein should be tried by an international military tribunal.

While a few said Santa Cruz should be a sanctuary for those who refuse military service in Iraq, Farr responded by saying the U.S. military is all-volunteer. He said he supports the troops serving the country, but doesn’t necessarily support some of their "civilian leaders."

While several people praised Farr for speaking out on the issue, he was questioned by activist and unsuccessful City Council candidate Steve Argue, who said Farr had done the right thing by opposing Bush’s use-of-force authorization, but should have taken a stand against economic sanctions. Argue said sanctions have killed "millions" of Iraqi children."

Steve Hildebrand said Congress has "failed miserably to hold George Bush accountable to the Constitution of the United States. Millions march and Bush has the audacity to say he’s not listening?"

In a wrap-up, Farr praised organizations that have opposed war, including 52 Aptos High School teachers. This group read a statement saying there was no grounds to attack Iraq. "Our daughters have not been raped," said one of the teachers, reading a prepared statement. "Our fields have not been poisoned. ... We want a graceful way out of this box of our own making."

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